Downtown Atlanta Association Calls for Changes to Proposed BRT Line

In an open letter to the city, the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association (ADNA) is calling for a change in approach to Atlanta's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line to prevent wasteful spending. "The ADNA’s preferred route would more swiftly move passengers around the city, connect to existing MARTA rail, and position the BRT system for future growth, they feel."

The letter, published in Urbanize Atlanta, claims that the "Locally Preferred Alternative" route proposed for a section of the BRT line downtown is not what locals want. "Crucially, this new route has three large sections in downtown where it will have to operate in 'shared' traffic lanes in contradiction of BRT standards, slowing service and reducing ridership during peak times" and makes no accommodations for future expansion.

The Association argues that "[w]hen this change to the route’s downtown section was made in 2019, little outreach was done to key stakeholders, such as the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association (ADNA) and the approximately 14,500 (and rapidly growing) downtown residents most directly impacted." The letter also claims that residents were misled about the new route, which "dumps riders in the middle of South Downtown without direct connection to any current or planned rail."

"This current 'western' BRT route also jeopardizes existing plans to bring cycle tracks, wider sidewalks, and outdoor dining to downtown streets as well as upending partially funded plans to restore two-way traffic flow planned along these corridors." With 60 percent of the design completed to date, the letter urges the city "to get this done right and avoid wasting money later in the process."